What's Biting FLgulf coast · Anna Maria to Boca Grande
Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor
Sarasota Bay, Lemon Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. Boca Grande Pass is the most famous tarpon pass in the world, and the harbor is prime snook and redfish water.
Today's report (2026-10-30)
The tide is swinging strong today with a high this morning and a low this afternoon. That moving water is the main reason redfish, snook, and spotted seatrout are the top three bets for Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor. Redfish are the strongest play, while snook and trout should feed well around the major solunar windows this afternoon. Flounder are also active in the current but remember harvest is closed statewide, so it is catch and release only.
The best fishing window is between 2:31 PM and 4:31 PM, with a secondary shot from 9:01 AM to 10:01 AM. Weather looks mild with a high near 87 degrees and northeast winds 8 to 14 mph. There are no major weather cautions for today.
Target the moving water around the passes and points during the outgoing tide for the best action.
Today's tide
Bite forecast
| Species | Fri, Oct 30 | Sat, Oct 31 | Sun, Nov 1 | Mon, Nov 2 | Tue, Nov 3 | Wed, Nov 4 | Thu, Nov 5 | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish (Red Drum) | 10 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
| Flounder harvest closed | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release) |
| Snook | 9 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
| Spotted Seatrout | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
| King Mackerel | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
| Spanish Mackerel | 9 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
| Gag Grouper harvest closed | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft. Harvest closed in: Gulf Regulations (catch and release) |
| Mangrove (Gray) Snapper | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
| Red Grouper harvest closed | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft. Harvest closed in: Gulf Regulations (catch and release) |
| Permit | 8 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
| Tripletail | 8 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
| Pompano | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 2.5 ft |
Score blends the seasonal pattern for each species with moon, tide swing, wind and weather. 10 is as good as it gets. Days 4 to 7 are an outlook: the moon and tides are certain, the weather is not.
Species in this region
9SnookCentropomus undecimalis
10Redfish (Red Drum)Sciaenops ocellatus
9Spotted SeatroutCynoscion nebulosus
4TarponMegalops atlanticus
10FlounderParalichthys lethostigma
6SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus
7CobiaRachycentron canadum
9King MackerelScomberomorus cavalla
9Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatus
6Red SnapperLutjanus campechanus
8Mangrove (Gray) SnapperLutjanus griseus
9Gag GrouperMycteroperca microlepis
8Red GrouperEpinephelus morio
7Greater AmberjackSeriola dumerili
8PermitTrachinotus falcatus
8TripletailLobotes surinamensis
6Black DrumPogonias cromis
4Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish)Coryphaena hippurus
7HogfishLachnolaimus maximus
7Gray TriggerfishBalistes capriscus
8PompanoTrachinotus carolinus
7BluefishPomatomus saltatrix